Legendary Jedi Master, Obi-Wan Kenobi was gifted with the way of the Force. Otherwise known as Ben, Obi-Wan was an acting member of the Jedi High Council as the Republic Era drew to a close. He was respected for his Jedi status, though served as a general during the Clone Wars, where he valiantly fought against the Separatist Droid Army. Obi-Wan was additionally viewed as a mentor figure to Anakin Skywalker in the Prequel Trilogy and his son, Luke, who was guided by him throughout the Original Trilogy.
Prior to forced exile during the Great Jedi Purge, the Prequel Trilogy dedicated a generous amount of time to become well-acquainted with Obi-Wan in his younger years.Ewan McGregorwas responsible for the rejuvenation of the Jedi Knight as he followed in the footsteps of Alec McGuinness and established himself as a fan-favorite. His charm, wit, insight, bravery, and rich sarcasm contribute to what made McGregor’s interpretation of Obi-Wan such a memorable aspect of the Prequels. Thanks to the success ofThe Mandalorianand therecently releasedBook of Boba Fett, theStar Warsfranchise is ever expanding with new original series on Disney+. This, in fact, includes McGregor’s return to the beloved character inthe highly anticipatedObi-Wan Kenobiseries, which isrumored to be arriving in May. In the meantime, here is a look back at Ewan McGregor’s best moments asObi-Wan Kenobi in theStar Warsprequel trilogy.
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5"Hello There."
The dialogue itself is light, playful, and genuinely quotable.Star Warshas a tendency to complicate itself with esoteric terms, phrases, and technical slang, which makes “Hello there” as simple as it gets, while having the ability to leave a remarkable impact on the franchise. Obi-Wan has presented many sides of his personality through a variety ofStar Warsmedia. Through his character development, McGregor teased a bit of a more lighthearted, sardonic, and sharply clever version of the Jedi Master. Even before launching himself into battle against General Grievous inStar Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, there’s a cheeky touch of humor that adds a dash of personality to what could be another intergalactic face-off. Above all, the immortally famous “Hello there” scene is a direct callback to McGuinness' time as Obi-Wan, honoring the legacy of the character in theStar Warscanon.
4Fighting Jango Fett on Kamino
Jango Fett (Temuera Morrison) working his way intoStar Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clonesestablished the existence of Clones in live-action and provided Obi-Wan with an equally noble subplot during the auxiliary leg of the Prequels. After suspicions arise that Jango Fett may pose a threat and could be planning to assassinate Senator Padmé Amidala Naberrie (Natalie Portman), he follows Fett to Kamino near the end of the Separatist Crisis. Obi-Wan embarks on his solo mission assigned to him by the Jedi High Council, and the assignment is a prime example of his skills as a leader. It recognizes the amount of trust and respect that the Jedi have for him and permits him to continue to set himself as an example for Padawan to follow. Additionally, Obi-Wan venturing to Kamino is viewed as an act of bravery. He knows well that he’s entering unchartered territory and yet shows little hesitancy when exploring the unknown. The Jedi Master’s selflessness is on display after he engages Jango in hand-to-hand combat. His risk of self-sacrifice is a testament to his devotion to the Jedi Order and the well-being of Senator Naberrie. The encounter with Jango includes the first glimpse of his son, Boba, opening up the possibility forThe Book of Boba Fettwith two decades to spare.
3Agreeing to Teach Anakin Skywalker
Obi-Wan agreeing to accept Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd) as his Padawan and teach him the way of the Force inStar Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menaceis a significant moment for Anakin, Obi-Wan, andStar Warsitself. The duo became nearly inseparable and experienced a deep bond between student and master. Obi-Wan understood that Anakin was the Chosen One, and viewed it as his obligation to lead him onto the right path. He stepped into a position of guidance and offered his intuition to his budding pupil. His sagacity is generously passed on from teacher to student in hopes that Anakin can build upon the foundation of his newfound education. By assuming his role as guardian over Anakin, he recognizes that he must mentor him to the best of his ability. Despite Anakin’s deference to the Dark Side, Obi-Wan first taking on the role as a leader among the Jedi speaks to his dedication to the Jedi. The act of commitment to training his new protégé speaks on his allegiance to the Republic and to democracy.
2Defeating Darth Maul
Accompanied bycomposer John Williams' “Duel of the Fates”, Obi-Wan defeating Darth Maul (Ray Park) inStar Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menaceis an indispensable moment in the Prequel Trilogy. Though the Jedi understand that the first line of their code is that “there is no Emotion; there is peace,” Obi-Wan knows that he must avenge Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) after he is killed. This is a demonstration of his ethical reasoning wherein he allows his personal righteousness to outweigh the Jedi Code. Obi-Wan gives himself permission for emotion to decide to find himself in combat against Maul, justifying it as a rationale. The Jedi Master claiming victory over his Sith opposition marks him as a skilled saber-wielder while seeking out equitable retribution. Obi-Wan, in combat against Maul, acts upon what he believes is right and just. In order to take vengeance against loss, he feels as if he must personally face the killer himself. He knows that violence is only needed when necessary, and taking down Maul was indeed viewed as a necessity.
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1The Battle on Mustafar
Perhaps one of the most heart-wrenching moments in the Prequel Trilogy, the Battle on Mustafar between Obi-Wan and Anakin (later played by Hayden Christensen) is a necessity for each to endure. In comparison to the more triumphant moments shared between the two, their fateful confrontation is teeming with betrayal and heartbreak. It is perhaps the most vulnerable that either has been. Obi-Wan knows his Padawan as much as he knows himself, and prepares himself to counter every attack as if he’s prepared for this moment. Perhaps there’s a feeling of intuition that he’s long since denied of the ultimate bretrayal as Anakin is gradually lured towards the way of the Sith. At any rate, the Mustafarian confrontation presents Obi-Wan with one of his greatest fears as he is asked to defeat the Chosen One who he was once set on saving from himself. The Jedi Master has been stripped away of his confident facade, begging Anakin to reconsider his impulses while he still has the ability to. A sense of sorrow weighs down the scene, and pity pulses through it. There’s a distinct feeling of dread that floods the final battle when Obi-Wan knows that it’s over—he has the high ground.
